THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

 

Isaiah Chapter 43

1 ¶ But now the LORD who created you, O Jacob, and he who formed you, O Israel, says this, Do not be afraid: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you; and through rivers, they will not drown you: when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; nor will the flame scorch you.

3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior: I gave Egypt as a ransom for you, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.

4 Because you are precious in my sight, I have shown you love, and you have been honored: I will give men in exchange for you, and people for your life.

5 Do not be afraid: for I am with you: I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west;

6 I will say to the north, Give them up; and to the south, Do not hold back: bring my sons home from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7 Even every one who is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

8 ¶ Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them could predict this, and foretell the things that have happened? let them bring forth their witnesses, to prove that they were right: so that the people may hear, and say, It is true.

10 You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: so that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: no God was formed before me, and there will be none after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no savior other than me.

12 I said that I would save, and I have shown that I am God, when there was no strange god among you: therefore you are my witnesses, says the LORD.

13 Yea, before the first day dawned and forevermore I am God; and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand: When I do something, who can undo it?

14 ¶ The LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and will remove the barriers, bringing the Chaldeans, and their shouting will be turned to lamentation.

15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way through the sea, and a path through mighty waters;

17 Who brings out chariots and horses, an army with mighty warriors; and makes them fall down together, never to rise: they are gone, they are extinguished like a wick.

18 Forget what has happened in the past, and do not dwell on the events of long ago.

19 Watch, for I am about to do something new; even now it is coming; will you recognize it? I will make a way through the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beasts of the field will honor me, the lizards and the owls: because I provide water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, for my chosen people to drink.

21 The people whom I have formed for myself, will sing my praise.

22 ¶ But you have not called on me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel.

23 You have not brought me lambs for your burnt offerings; nor have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with incense.

24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices: but you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your iniquities.

25 I, even I, am he who will wash away your sins for my own sake, and will not remember your transgressions.

26 Take me to court: let us argue our case: set forth your claim, so that you may be vindicated.

27 Your first father sinned, and your teachers have transgressed against me.

28 Therefore I have deposed the officers of the sanctuary, and placed Jacob under the ban and curse, and delivered Israel to reproach.